Knowledge gaps on HIV/AIDS among a group of nursing students in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Objective: Prevalence of HIV is low in Sri Lanka. However, the incidence is rising gradually. Reducing stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV is important in health care settings. Nurses who have an important role in caring for HIV patients should have good knowledge to achieve this. The aim of this study was to identify the specific areas of knowledge deficit on HIV/AIDS among 2nd year nursing student in Sri Lanka.

Methods: In-depth analysis of the knowledge component of the pretest responses of a study assessing the effectiveness of AIDS education program on nursing students’ AIDS knowledge and AIDS attitudes in Sri Lanka.

Results: The results show poor knowledge of HIV and important knowledge gaps in areas of modes of transmission of HIV, mother to child transmission and universal precautions. Very high percentage believed they are at higher risk of contracting HIV due to the nature of their job, while the knowledge on post-exposure prophylaxis was poor.

Conclusions: Correction of these knowledge gaps and improving knowledge on HIV/AIDS among nursing students is very important as they are going to be future nurses and they have a very important role in reducing the discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV.